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ਜਪੁ | Jup
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ਰਾਗੁ ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ | Raag Siree-Raag
Gurbani (14-53)
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Pahre (74-78)
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Vaar Gujari (517-526)
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Gurbani (527-536)
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Ghoriaan (575-578)
Alaahaniiaa (578-582)
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Gurbani (660-685)
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Chhant (687-691)
Bhagat Bani (691-695)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਤਸਰੀ | Raag Jaitsree
Gurbani (696-703)
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Vaar Jaitsaree (705-710)
Bhagat Bani (710)
ਰਾਗੁ ਟੋਡੀ | Raag Todee
ਰਾਗੁ ਬੈਰਾੜੀ | Raag Bairaaree
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Gurbani (721-727)
Bhagat Bani (727)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸੂਹੀ | Raag Suhi
Gurbani (728-750)
Ashtpadiyan (750-761)
Kaafee (761-762)
Suchajee (762)
Gunvantee (763)
Chhant (763-785)
Vaar Soohee (785-792)
Bhagat Bani (792-794)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਿਲਾਵਲੁ | Raag Bilaaval
Gurbani (795-831)
Ashtpadiyan (831-838)
Thitteen (838-840)
Vaar Sat (841-843)
Chhant (843-848)
Vaar Bilaaval (849-855)
Bhagat Bani (855-858)
ਰਾਗੁ ਗੋਂਡ | Raag Gond
Gurbani (859-869)
Ashtpadiyan (869)
Bhagat Bani (870-875)
ਰਾਗੁ ਰਾਮਕਲੀ | Raag Ramkalee
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Anand (917-922)
Sadd (923-924)
Chhant (924-929)
Dakhnee (929-938)
Sidh Gosat (938-946)
Vaar Ramkalee (947-968)
ਰਾਗੁ ਨਟ ਨਾਰਾਇਨ | Raag Nat Narayan
Gurbani (975-980)
Ashtpadiyan (980-983)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਲੀ ਗਉੜਾ | Raag Maalee Gauraa
Gurbani (984-988)
Bhagat Bani (988)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਾਰੂ | Raag Maaroo
Gurbani (889-1008)
Ashtpadiyan (1008-1014)
Kaafee (1014-1016)
Ashtpadiyan (1016-1019)
Anjulian (1019-1020)
Solhe (1020-1033)
Dakhni (1033-1043)
ਰਾਗੁ ਤੁਖਾਰੀ | Raag Tukhaari
Bara Maha (1107-1110)
Chhant (1110-1117)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕੇਦਾਰਾ | Raag Kedara
Gurbani (1118-1123)
Bhagat Bani (1123-1124)
ਰਾਗੁ ਭੈਰਉ | Raag Bhairo
Gurbani (1125-1152)
Partaal (1153)
Ashtpadiyan (1153-1167)
ਰਾਗੁ ਬਸੰਤੁ | Raag Basant
Gurbani (1168-1187)
Ashtpadiyan (1187-1193)
Vaar Basant (1193-1196)
ਰਾਗੁ ਸਾਰਗ | Raag Saarag
Gurbani (1197-1200)
Partaal (1200-1231)
Ashtpadiyan (1232-1236)
Chhant (1236-1237)
Vaar Saarang (1237-1253)
ਰਾਗੁ ਮਲਾਰ | Raag Malaar
Gurbani (1254-1293)
Partaal (1265-1273)
Ashtpadiyan (1273-1278)
Chhant (1278)
Vaar Malaar (1278-91)
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ਰਾਗੁ ਕਾਨੜਾ | Raag Kaanraa
Gurbani (1294-96)
Partaal (1296-1318)
Ashtpadiyan (1308-1312)
Chhant (1312)
Vaar Kaanraa
Bhagat Bani (1318)
ਰਾਗੁ ਕਲਿਆਨ | Raag Kalyaan
Gurbani (1319-23)
Ashtpadiyan (1323-26)
ਰਾਗੁ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ | Raag Prabhaatee
Gurbani (1327-1341)
Ashtpadiyan (1342-51)
ਰਾਗੁ ਜੈਜਾਵੰਤੀ | Raag Jaijaiwanti
Gurbani (1352-53)
Salok | Gatha | Phunahe | Chaubole | Swayiye
Sehskritee Mahala 1
Sehskritee Mahala 5
Gaathaa Mahala 5
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Shaloks Bhagat Kabir
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Swaiyyae Mahala 5
Swaiyyae in Praise of Gurus
Shaloks in Addition To Vaars
Shalok Ninth Mehl
Mundavanee Mehl 5
ਰਾਗ ਮਾਲਾ, Raag Maalaa
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Gurmat Vichaar
Gurmat Vichar - Discussions
Nanak Is The Guru, Nanak Is The Lord Himself
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<blockquote data-quote="AmbarDhara" data-source="post: 68669" data-attributes="member: 5661"><p><strong>Re: Nanak is the Guru; Nanak is the Lord Himself.</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Excerpt from the book "<strong><em>LIVING REALITY</em></strong><em> - Questions and Answers about life, under the guidance of The Siri Guru Granth Sahib</em>" by Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa, Ph.D </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru is a teacher or enlightener. One who brings from dark to light. Guru is an idea or and institution, not a person. However, a person can attain this level of clarity of reality. The Guru </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"><strong>GURU</strong>, a <strong>spiritual guide</strong> or preceptor. The term, long used in the Indian religious tradition, has a special connotation in the <a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u>Sikh</u></a> system. The <a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u>Sikh</u></a> faith itself signifies discipleship, the word sikh (<strong>sisya</strong> in <a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sanskrit" target="_blank"><u>Sanskrit</u></a> and <strong>sissa</strong> or <strong>sekha</strong> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali" target="_blank"><u>Pali</u></a>) meaning <strong>pupil</strong> or <strong>learner</strong>. The concept of <strong>Guru</strong>, the teacher or enlightener, is thus central to <a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikhism" target="_blank"><u>Sikhism</u></a>. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The <strong>Guru</strong>, according to </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> belief, is the vital link in man’s spiritual progress. He is the teacher who shows the way. He is not an intercessor, but exemplar and guide. He is no avatar or God’s incarnation, but it is through him that God instructs men. He is the perfectly realized soul; at the same time, he is capable of leading the believers to the highest state of spiritual enlightenment. The <strong>Guru</strong> has been called the ladder, the rowboat by means of which one reaches God. He is the revealer of God’s word. Through him God’s word, sabda, enters human history. <u><strong><em><span style="color: blue">The Guru is the voice of God, the Divine self-revelation.</span></em></strong></u> Man turns to the Guru for instruction because of his wisdom and his moral piety. He indicates the path to liberation. It is the Guru who brings the love and nature of God to the believer. It is he who brings that grace of God by which haumai or egoity is mastered. The <strong>Guru</strong> is witness to God’s love of His creation. He is God’s </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Hukam" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">hukam</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, i.e. Will, made concrete. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">A special figure is employed to describe the transference of the Guruship in the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> tradition. This figure helps us understand the true nature of Guru. The Guruship passes from one Guru to the other as one candle lights another. Thus the real Guru is God, for He is the source of all light. It is clear that the <strong>Guru</strong> is not to be confused with the human form (the unlit body). In the Sikh faith which originated in Guru Nanak’s revelation, Ten Gurus held the office. In </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikhism" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikhism</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> the word Guru is used only for the ten spiritual prophets — </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Nanak</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> to </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Gobind Singh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, and for none other. Now this office of <strong>Guru</strong> is fulfilled by the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Granth Sahib</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, the Sacred Book, which was so apotheosized by </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Gobind Singh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Various connotations of guru have been given based on different etymological interpretations. One generally accepted in </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikhism" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikhism</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> is that derived from the syllable gu standing for darkness and ru for its removal. Thus <strong>guru</strong> is he who banishes the darkness of ignorance. According to </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> belief, guidance of the guru is essential for one’s spiritual enlightenment. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">No particular text dealing with the concept of guru is found in the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh_Scripture" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikh Scripture</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, though scattered references abound. They are often figurative and symbolic but are fully expressive of the pre-eminence accorded to the guru. He has been called a tirtha, place of holy pilgrimage, i.e. purifier; a khevat, the boatman who rows one across the ocean of worldliness; a sarovar, a lake where swans, i.e. holy saints, dwell and pick up pearls of sacred wisdom for food; a samund, ocean which is churned for the gems, for his bani, or inspired word, is itself deep like the ocean and its wisdom can be brought out only after long meditation; a dipak, lamp which lights up the three worlds. In another comparison the Guru is called pilak, elephant controller, as he restrains the mind that is like a mad, romping elephant. He is called data, donor of wisdom; amritsar, the pool of ambrosia of the Name; a basith, one joining the seeker in union with God; joti, the light which illuminates the world. Other comparisons are anjan, collyrium, which sharpens the sight— a metaphor for the spiritual vision; sahjai da khet, the field of equipoise or equanimity; paharua, the watchman who drives away the five thieves, i.e. the five evils. He is sura, the hero whose sword of jnana or knowledge rends the veil of darkness and overcomes ignorance and wickedness, paras, philosopher’s stone which turns base metals into gold, for he transforms ordinary men into holy saints. There are numerous more comparisons. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The first stanza of Bhavan Akhari, one of </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Arjan</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">’s compositions in the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Granth Sahib</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, is a paean of glorification in honour of the <strong>Guru</strong> (Gurudev) in exalted classical style. Gurudev, i.e. the divinely inspired Master, is the mother, father; he is the Master and the Lord Supreme. He is friend, relative, brother. He confers on the seeker the name of the Supreme Being, i.e. the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mantra" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">mantra</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, which is infallible. <strong>Gurudev</strong> is the touchstone which surpasses all paras. Gurudev is sacred tirath of the ambrosia of immortality, a bath wherein is a bath in jnana. <strong>Gurudev</strong> is the banisher of sins; he makes the impure pure. <strong>Gurudev</strong> has existed from beginning of the beginning, from the beginning of the ages and has lasted through all the yugas; i.e. his light is eternal. His teachings of the Name alone can save humanity (GG, 250). </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The guidance of the guru is absolutely essential; no spiritual gain can accrue without the guru’s guidance. The view has been constantly reiterated in the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Granth Sahib</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">: </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Were there to rise a hundred moons, and a thousand suns besides, </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Without the guru, it will still be pitch darkness </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 463) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">None other than the guru can give enlightenment, </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Nor can happiness without him enter the heart </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 650 </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"><span style="color: #ee4000">None has ever realized God, none at all, without the guru’s guidance, </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">declares Guru Nanak (GG, 466) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Using figurative language, it is pointed out that no blind man can find the path without the guru, as nobody can reach the housetop without the stairs and no one can cross the river without a boat. As says Guru Amar Das, he who remains without the Guru’s guidance is the rejected one (GG, 435). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">What is gained if the guru’s compassion and guidance are available is thus elaborated: </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">By the holy preceptor’s grace is faith perfected; </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">By the holy preceptor’s grace is grief cancelled, By the holy preceptor’s grace is suffering annulled; By the holy preceptor’s grace is love of God enjoyed; By the holy preceptor’s grace is union with God attained </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 149) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The guru cleanses the seeker’s mind of the impurity and brings it to contemplating on the Name. He breaks the shackles of the disciple who turns away from the excitements of the senses. He seeks his welfare and cherishes him as the beloved of his heart. A touch of him erases all blemishes of conduct. The bard Nall refers to the transforming power of the guru thus in symbolic language: </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">From base metal I became gold by hearing the words of the Guru. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Poison was turned into nectar as one uttered the Name revealed by the Guru. From iron a diamond I became by the Guru’s grace. From stone one becomes a diamond in light of the jnana manifested by the Guru. The Guru transformed common timber into fragrant sandalwood and banished all pain and misery. By worshipping the feet of the <strong>Guru</strong>, the foolish and the evil became angels—the noblest of men </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 1399) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">God, who is “without form, colour or feature,” is yet self-communicating. “Through the True Word (sada) is He revealed,” as says Guru Nanak (GG, 597). </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Further: </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Within every heart is hid the Lord; </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">In all hearts and bodies is his light. By the guru’s instruction Are the adamantine doors opened. Here sabda and guru are juxtaposed. Often they become one word, sabdaguru, identifying sabda with the guru. The sabda guru is the profound teacher; Without the sabda the world remains in perplexity </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 635) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Set your mind on the gur</span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Shabad" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">shabad</span></span></u></a></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Which is over and above everything else </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 904) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Through the sabda one recognizes the adorable Lord </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Through the word of the guru (gurvak) Is he imbued with the truth </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG. 55) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Shabad" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Shabad</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> is the same as the guru, says </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Ram_Das" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Ram Das</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">. <strong>“<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Bani" target="_blank"><u>Bani</u></a> (the guru’s utterance or word) is the guru and the guru is b<a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Ani&action=edit" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc2200"><u>ani</u></span></a></strong>; in bani are contained all the elixirs” (GG, 982). </span></span></p><p><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Shabad" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Shabad</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, ever present, is articulated through the human medium, the guru, so ordained by the Supreme Being. The historical </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurus" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Gurus</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> of the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> faith are believed to have uttered the truth vouchsafed to them by God. “As I received the word from the Lord, so do I deliver it,” says </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Nanak</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> (GG, 722). </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Arjan</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">: “I know not what to say; I utter only the word I receive from God” (GG, 763). And </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Ram_Das" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Ram Das</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">: “Own ye the Sikhs the bani of the guru as truth and truth alone, for the Creator Himself makes him utter it” (GG, 308). </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">God, thus, is the primal <strong>Guru</strong> of the whole creation. This is how </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Nanak</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> discloses the identity of his own Guru. One of his compositions, the Sidha Gosti, is in the form of a discourse with a group of yogis. Therein a yogi puts the question to him, “Who is your Guru? Whose disciple are you?” (GG, 942). To which Guru Nanak replies: </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Shabad is my Guru, and the meditating mind the disciple. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">By dwelling on Him I remain detached. Nanak, God, the cherisher of the world through the ages, is my Guru </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 943) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Elsewhere Guru Nanak and his successors affirm that the Satiguru is God. </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The light of the pure Lord, the essence of everything, is all-pervading. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">He is the infinite, transcendent Lord, the Supreme God Him Nanak has obtained as his Guru </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG. 599) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Accredited is the personality of the bright Guru, God </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Who is brimful of all might. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Nanak, the Guru is the transcendent Lord Master. He, the ever present, is the Guru </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 802) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">According to </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> belief there is no difference in spirit between such a guru and God. “The guru is God and God is the Guru; there is no distinction between the two” says </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Ram_Das" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Ram Das</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> (GG, 442). “God hath placed Himself within the guru, which He explicitly explaineth” (GG, 466). “Acknowledge the Transcendent God and the guru as one “ (GG, 864). The real personality of a human being is the atman, the physical body is only a temporary dwelling place for the atman which is eternal and is a spark from the Eternal Flame, the Supreme Atman or God. “O my self, you are an embodiment of God’s Light; know your true origin” (GG, 441). Being encased in the physical frame, this atman becomes so involved in the temptations of the physical world that it forgets its reality and loses contact with the Flame of its origin, whereas the atman of the Guru remains ever in tune with that Supreme Light from which it has sparked off. It is thus that God is accepted as residing within the guru. It is in this sense that there is no distinction seen between the guru and God. Guru or satiguru is thus a word with a double meaning in the Guru Granth Sahib. It may refer to God or to His chosen prophet. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The true Guru is easily distinguished. “The true guru is one who has realized the Supreme Being and whose association saves the disciple” (GG, 286). “The true guru is one in whose heart dwells the Name Divine” (GG, 287). “He by meeting whom the mind is filled with bliss is the true guru. He ends the duality of the mind and leads (the disciple) to the ultimate state of realization” (GG, 168). “Praise, praise be to the true guru who demolishes the fort of dubiety; wondrous, wondrous the true guru who unites the seeker with the Lord” (GG 522). The guru is ordained as such for the liberation of mankind. He transmits the message of God to men and performs acts of grace to save them. The guru is sent by God, but he is not God’s incarnation. “Singed be the tongue which says that the Lord takes birth” (GG, 1136). He is ajuni (unborn); He is saibhan (self-existent). Highest tribute and adoration are reserved for the guru. Devotion to the guru is deemed to be the quintessential quality of a religious man. The pain of separation from the guru and the joy of meeting with him find expression in poetry of deep intensity, as in </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Arjan</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">’s hymn in Rag Majh (GG, 96-97). </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Nanak was suspicious of human preceptors, pandits, gurus and pirs. They are generally denounced as blind guides, self-styled and traders upon ignorance and superstition. He warns against them: </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Never fall at the feet of one </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Who calls himself guru and pir, and goes begging. He who eats what he earns And from his own hands gives some in charity, He alone knows the true way of life </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 1245) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The disciple whose guru is blind will not attain the goal (GG, 58). Taking up this thought the third Guru said: </span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The disciples whose guru is blind perform only blind deeds. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="color: #ee4000"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">They follow their own wayward will, And ever utter the grossest lies </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">(GG, 951) </span></span></span></strong></p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">When </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Nanak</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> speaks of his guru or satguru, it is not such teachers that he has in mind. The true guru is the means of the self-revelation of God. He makes the concealed and ineffable God known. He symbolizes the supreme act of God’s grace in revealing Himself as Truth, as the Name, as the Word. The true guru comes to unite all people of the world and to unite them to the Supreme Being. A false guru creates schisms, divisions and prejudices. The true guru as manifested in the history of the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> faith comes to suppress the forces of evil and to rally the forces of good. He comes to resuscitate the values of true religion, </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Dharma" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">dharma</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The [[Sikh] faith developed under the guidance of ten successive Gurus from 1469 to 1708. </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Gobind Singh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, the Tenth Guru, appointed no personal successor, but bequeathed the guruship to the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Holy_Book" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Holy Book</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Granth Sahib</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">. The holy Word or sabda had always been referred by the Gurus as well as by their disciples as of Divine origin. The Guru was the revealer of the Word. The Word was identified with the Guru when </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Gobind Singh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> proclaimed the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Holy_Book" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Holy Book</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> Guru before he passed away. Bards </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Balvand_and_Satta&action=edit" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc2200"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Balvand and Satta</span></span></u></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> theorize that of their three aspects—joti, i.e. light, jugati, way or procedure, and kaia, i.e. body—it is only kaia, the body, that changes as succession passed from one historical <strong>Guru</strong> of the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> faith to the next. Joti and jugati remained the same. As sang the bards: “Joti oha jugati sai sahi kaia pheri palatiai” (GG, 966). From their verse emerges this concept of three aspects of the guruship. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">God is the source of all light or consciousness. God kindles that light, in the chosen human body, the Guru; in the joti-aspect the <strong>Guru</strong> is the most enlightened human being, he is in direct communion with God. He communicates the message of God to mankind. He transmits His light to the world. Without the guru, darkness prevails. Says </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Nanak</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, “The light of the guru alone dispels darkness” (GG, 463); “The guru is that lamp which illuminates the three worlds” (GG, 137). </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Balvand_and_Satta&action=edit" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc2200"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Balvand and Satta</span></span></u></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> in their hymn in the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Granth Sahib</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> affirm that the historical Gurus of the Sikhs shared the same joti (light). The joti got transferred to the successor’s body. Thus, right from 1469, the year of the birth of </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Nanak</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, to 1708, the year of the passing away of </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Gobind Singh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, it was one continuing joti manifesting itself in the Ten Gurus. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">This awareness of one light acting through the successive Gurus was so permeating among the Sikhs that Mobid Zulfiqar Ardastani (d. 1670) wrote in his Persian work Dabistan-i-Mazahib, “The Sikhs say that when Nanak left his body, he absorbed himself in </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Angad" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Angad</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> who was his most devoted disciple, and that Guru Angad was Nanak himself. After that, at the time of his death, </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Angad" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Angad</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> entered into the body of </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Amar_Das" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Amar Das</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">. He in the same manner occupied a place in the body of </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Ram_Das" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Ram Das</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> who in the same way got united with </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Arjan</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">. They say that whoever does not acknowledge </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Arjan</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> to be the very self of Baba Nanak becomes a nonbeliever.” </span></span></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Gobind Singh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, last of the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurus" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Gurus</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, himself wrote in his poetical autobiography called Bachitra Natak, “Nanak assumed the body of Angad. . . Afterwards, Nanak was called Amar Das, as one lamp is lit from another. . . The holy Nanak was revered as Angad, Angad was recognized as Amar Das. And Amar Das became Ram Das. . . When Ram Das was blended with the Divine, he gave the Guruship to Arjan. Arjan appointed Hargobind in his place and Hargobind gave his seat to Har Rai. Har Krishan, his son, then became Guru. After him came Tegh Bahadur.” </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Balvand and Satta further proclaim that the Gurus indicated the same jugati or the method and way of life. The ministry of Guru Nanak combining joti and jugati, took care of both the worlds, the spiritual and the temporal. It was the ministry of deg (charity), and tegh (power), of miri (temporal authority) and piri (spiritual power). According to the bard, Nanak founded sovereignty on the firm rock of truth. . . Nanaku raju chalaia sachu kotu satani niv dai (GG, 966). As Nanak transferred the joti (light) to Lahina who became Guru Angad, he unfurled the umbrella over his head—lahane dharionu chhatu siri, i.e. he invested Lahina with the authority to carry on with the practice he had introduced. The Gurus preached devotion, bhakti or nam (meditation on the Divine Name), recitation of bani, the sacred texts, and kirtan, i.e. singing of the Lord’s glory in sangat or holy assembly. Along with nam, they inculcated the values of kirat, labouring with one’s hands, and vand chhakna, sharing with others the fruit of one’s exertions. The Gurus had carved a clear way for the disciples. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The Guru’s kaia or body was the repository of God’s light. It was the medium for the articulation of sabda, Word Divine, or God’s message. So it was worthy of reverence. The historical Guru was the focal point of the sangat and the living example of truths he had brought to light. He himself lived up to the teachings he imparted to his disciples. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The sangat turned into Khalsa in the time of </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Gobind Singh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> who introduced khande di pahul, i.e. baptism of the double-edged steel sword. With the formation of the Khalsa, the concept of the Guru </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Panth" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Panth</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> formalized. By becoming the sixth person to receive amrit at the hands of the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Panj_Piare" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Panj Piare</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, the Five Beloved, who formed the nucleus of the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Khalsa" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Khalsa</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> Panth, Guru Gobind Singh testified to his own membership of the Panth, and to having merged himself with it and endowed it with the charisma of his own personality. The bani, always revered by the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikhs</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> as well as by the Gurus as Word Divine, was however above all. This was something which even the Gurus themselves could not change. It was this superiority which </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Gobind Singh</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> acknowledged in 1708 when he invested Scripture as Guru. </span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">The idea of the <strong>Guru</strong> </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Panth" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Panth</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> lives on in the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Khalsa" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Khalsa</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">. But the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Khalsa" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Khalsa</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> itself could not alter the fundamental tenets of the Sikh faith as enunciated in the bani. The </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Guru Granth Sahib</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> was, in the presence of the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Khalsa" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Khalsa</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">, proclaimed <strong>Guru</strong>. The finality of the pronouncement remains a cherished truth for the </span></span><a href="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh" target="_blank"><u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred">Sikhs</span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="color: darkred"> and the Holy Book has since been the perpetual authority, spiritual as well as historical, for them. No living person, however holy or revered, can now have for them the title or status of Guru. For Sikhs the Guru is the teacher, the prophet under direct commission from God—the Ten who have been and the Guru Granth Sahib which is their continuing visible manifestation.</span> </span></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="color: red"><strong><u>THE CONTINUING VISIBLE MANIFESTATION</u></strong></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="AmbarDhara, post: 68669, member: 5661"] [b]Re: Nanak is the Guru; Nanak is the Lord Himself.[/b] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Excerpt from the book "[B][I]LIVING REALITY[/I][/B][I] - Questions and Answers about life, under the guidance of The Siri Guru Granth Sahib[/I]" by Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa, Ph.D [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru is a teacher or enlightener. One who brings from dark to light. Guru is an idea or and institution, not a person. However, a person can attain this level of clarity of reality. The Guru [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred][B]GURU[/B], a [B]spiritual guide[/B] or preceptor. The term, long used in the Indian religious tradition, has a special connotation in the [URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U]Sikh[/U][/URL] system. The [URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U]Sikh[/U][/URL] faith itself signifies discipleship, the word sikh ([B]sisya[/B] in [URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sanskrit"][U]Sanskrit[/U][/URL] and [B]sissa[/B] or [B]sekha[/B] in [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pali"][U]Pali[/U][/URL]) meaning [B]pupil[/B] or [B]learner[/B]. The concept of [B]Guru[/B], the teacher or enlightener, is thus central to [URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikhism"][U]Sikhism[/U][/URL]. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The [B]Guru[/B], according to [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] belief, is the vital link in man’s spiritual progress. He is the teacher who shows the way. He is not an intercessor, but exemplar and guide. He is no avatar or God’s incarnation, but it is through him that God instructs men. He is the perfectly realized soul; at the same time, he is capable of leading the believers to the highest state of spiritual enlightenment. The [B]Guru[/B] has been called the ladder, the rowboat by means of which one reaches God. He is the revealer of God’s word. Through him God’s word, sabda, enters human history. [U][B][I][COLOR=blue]The Guru is the voice of God, the Divine self-revelation.[/COLOR][/I][/B][/U] Man turns to the Guru for instruction because of his wisdom and his moral piety. He indicates the path to liberation. It is the Guru who brings the love and nature of God to the believer. It is he who brings that grace of God by which haumai or egoity is mastered. The [B]Guru[/B] is witness to God’s love of His creation. He is God’s [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Hukam"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]hukam[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], i.e. Will, made concrete. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]A special figure is employed to describe the transference of the Guruship in the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] tradition. This figure helps us understand the true nature of Guru. The Guruship passes from one Guru to the other as one candle lights another. Thus the real Guru is God, for He is the source of all light. It is clear that the [B]Guru[/B] is not to be confused with the human form (the unlit body). In the Sikh faith which originated in Guru Nanak’s revelation, Ten Gurus held the office. In [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikhism"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikhism[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] the word Guru is used only for the ten spiritual prophets — [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Nanak[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] to [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Gobind Singh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], and for none other. Now this office of [B]Guru[/B] is fulfilled by the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Granth Sahib[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], the Sacred Book, which was so apotheosized by [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Gobind Singh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Various connotations of guru have been given based on different etymological interpretations. One generally accepted in [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikhism"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikhism[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] is that derived from the syllable gu standing for darkness and ru for its removal. Thus [B]guru[/B] is he who banishes the darkness of ignorance. According to [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] belief, guidance of the guru is essential for one’s spiritual enlightenment. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]No particular text dealing with the concept of guru is found in the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh_Scripture"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikh Scripture[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], though scattered references abound. They are often figurative and symbolic but are fully expressive of the pre-eminence accorded to the guru. He has been called a tirtha, place of holy pilgrimage, i.e. purifier; a khevat, the boatman who rows one across the ocean of worldliness; a sarovar, a lake where swans, i.e. holy saints, dwell and pick up pearls of sacred wisdom for food; a samund, ocean which is churned for the gems, for his bani, or inspired word, is itself deep like the ocean and its wisdom can be brought out only after long meditation; a dipak, lamp which lights up the three worlds. In another comparison the Guru is called pilak, elephant controller, as he restrains the mind that is like a mad, romping elephant. He is called data, donor of wisdom; amritsar, the pool of ambrosia of the Name; a basith, one joining the seeker in union with God; joti, the light which illuminates the world. Other comparisons are anjan, collyrium, which sharpens the sight— a metaphor for the spiritual vision; sahjai da khet, the field of equipoise or equanimity; paharua, the watchman who drives away the five thieves, i.e. the five evils. He is sura, the hero whose sword of jnana or knowledge rends the veil of darkness and overcomes ignorance and wickedness, paras, philosopher’s stone which turns base metals into gold, for he transforms ordinary men into holy saints. There are numerous more comparisons. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The first stanza of Bhavan Akhari, one of [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Arjan[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]’s compositions in the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Granth Sahib[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], is a paean of glorification in honour of the [B]Guru[/B] (Gurudev) in exalted classical style. Gurudev, i.e. the divinely inspired Master, is the mother, father; he is the Master and the Lord Supreme. He is friend, relative, brother. He confers on the seeker the name of the Supreme Being, i.e. the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Mantra"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]mantra[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], which is infallible. [B]Gurudev[/B] is the touchstone which surpasses all paras. Gurudev is sacred tirath of the ambrosia of immortality, a bath wherein is a bath in jnana. [B]Gurudev[/B] is the banisher of sins; he makes the impure pure. [B]Gurudev[/B] has existed from beginning of the beginning, from the beginning of the ages and has lasted through all the yugas; i.e. his light is eternal. His teachings of the Name alone can save humanity (GG, 250). [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The guidance of the guru is absolutely essential; no spiritual gain can accrue without the guru’s guidance. The view has been constantly reiterated in the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Granth Sahib[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]: [/COLOR][/FONT] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Were there to rise a hundred moons, and a thousand suns besides, [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Without the guru, it will still be pitch darkness [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 463) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]None other than the guru can give enlightenment, [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Nor can happiness without him enter the heart [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 650 [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [CENTER][CENTER][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred][COLOR=#ee4000]None has ever realized God, none at all, without the guru’s guidance, [/COLOR][/COLOR][/FONT] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]declares Guru Nanak (GG, 466) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Using figurative language, it is pointed out that no blind man can find the path without the guru, as nobody can reach the housetop without the stairs and no one can cross the river without a boat. As says Guru Amar Das, he who remains without the Guru’s guidance is the rejected one (GG, 435). [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]What is gained if the guru’s compassion and guidance are available is thus elaborated: [/COLOR][/FONT] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]By the holy preceptor’s grace is faith perfected; [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]By the holy preceptor’s grace is grief cancelled, By the holy preceptor’s grace is suffering annulled; By the holy preceptor’s grace is love of God enjoyed; By the holy preceptor’s grace is union with God attained [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 149) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The guru cleanses the seeker’s mind of the impurity and brings it to contemplating on the Name. He breaks the shackles of the disciple who turns away from the excitements of the senses. He seeks his welfare and cherishes him as the beloved of his heart. A touch of him erases all blemishes of conduct. The bard Nall refers to the transforming power of the guru thus in symbolic language: [/COLOR][/FONT] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]From base metal I became gold by hearing the words of the Guru. [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Poison was turned into nectar as one uttered the Name revealed by the Guru. From iron a diamond I became by the Guru’s grace. From stone one becomes a diamond in light of the jnana manifested by the Guru. The Guru transformed common timber into fragrant sandalwood and banished all pain and misery. By worshipping the feet of the [B]Guru[/B], the foolish and the evil became angels—the noblest of men [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 1399) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]God, who is “without form, colour or feature,” is yet self-communicating. “Through the True Word (sada) is He revealed,” as says Guru Nanak (GG, 597). [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Further: [/COLOR][/FONT] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Within every heart is hid the Lord; [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]In all hearts and bodies is his light. By the guru’s instruction Are the adamantine doors opened. Here sabda and guru are juxtaposed. Often they become one word, sabdaguru, identifying sabda with the guru. The sabda guru is the profound teacher; Without the sabda the world remains in perplexity [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 635) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Set your mind on the gur[/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Shabad"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]shabad[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Which is over and above everything else [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 904) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Through the sabda one recognizes the adorable Lord [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Through the word of the guru (gurvak) Is he imbued with the truth [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG. 55) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Shabad"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Shabad[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] is the same as the guru, says [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Ram_Das"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Ram Das[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]. [B]“[URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Bani"][U]Bani[/U][/URL] (the guru’s utterance or word) is the guru and the guru is b[URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Ani&action=edit"][COLOR=#cc2200][U]ani[/U][/COLOR][/URL][/B]; in bani are contained all the elixirs” (GG, 982). [/COLOR][/FONT] [URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Shabad"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Shabad[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], ever present, is articulated through the human medium, the guru, so ordained by the Supreme Being. The historical [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurus"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Gurus[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] of the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] faith are believed to have uttered the truth vouchsafed to them by God. “As I received the word from the Lord, so do I deliver it,” says [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Nanak[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] (GG, 722). [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Arjan[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]: “I know not what to say; I utter only the word I receive from God” (GG, 763). And [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Ram_Das"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Ram Das[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]: “Own ye the Sikhs the bani of the guru as truth and truth alone, for the Creator Himself makes him utter it” (GG, 308). [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]God, thus, is the primal [B]Guru[/B] of the whole creation. This is how [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Nanak[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] discloses the identity of his own Guru. One of his compositions, the Sidha Gosti, is in the form of a discourse with a group of yogis. Therein a yogi puts the question to him, “Who is your Guru? Whose disciple are you?” (GG, 942). To which Guru Nanak replies: [/COLOR][/FONT] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Shabad is my Guru, and the meditating mind the disciple. [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]By dwelling on Him I remain detached. Nanak, God, the cherisher of the world through the ages, is my Guru [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 943) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Elsewhere Guru Nanak and his successors affirm that the Satiguru is God. [/COLOR][/FONT] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The light of the pure Lord, the essence of everything, is all-pervading. [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]He is the infinite, transcendent Lord, the Supreme God Him Nanak has obtained as his Guru [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG. 599) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Accredited is the personality of the bright Guru, God [/COLOR][/FONT] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Who is brimful of all might. [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Nanak, the Guru is the transcendent Lord Master. He, the ever present, is the Guru [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 802) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]According to [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] belief there is no difference in spirit between such a guru and God. “The guru is God and God is the Guru; there is no distinction between the two” says [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Ram_Das"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Ram Das[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] (GG, 442). “God hath placed Himself within the guru, which He explicitly explaineth” (GG, 466). “Acknowledge the Transcendent God and the guru as one “ (GG, 864). The real personality of a human being is the atman, the physical body is only a temporary dwelling place for the atman which is eternal and is a spark from the Eternal Flame, the Supreme Atman or God. “O my self, you are an embodiment of God’s Light; know your true origin” (GG, 441). Being encased in the physical frame, this atman becomes so involved in the temptations of the physical world that it forgets its reality and loses contact with the Flame of its origin, whereas the atman of the Guru remains ever in tune with that Supreme Light from which it has sparked off. It is thus that God is accepted as residing within the guru. It is in this sense that there is no distinction seen between the guru and God. Guru or satiguru is thus a word with a double meaning in the Guru Granth Sahib. It may refer to God or to His chosen prophet. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The true Guru is easily distinguished. “The true guru is one who has realized the Supreme Being and whose association saves the disciple” (GG, 286). “The true guru is one in whose heart dwells the Name Divine” (GG, 287). “He by meeting whom the mind is filled with bliss is the true guru. He ends the duality of the mind and leads (the disciple) to the ultimate state of realization” (GG, 168). “Praise, praise be to the true guru who demolishes the fort of dubiety; wondrous, wondrous the true guru who unites the seeker with the Lord” (GG 522). The guru is ordained as such for the liberation of mankind. He transmits the message of God to men and performs acts of grace to save them. The guru is sent by God, but he is not God’s incarnation. “Singed be the tongue which says that the Lord takes birth” (GG, 1136). He is ajuni (unborn); He is saibhan (self-existent). Highest tribute and adoration are reserved for the guru. Devotion to the guru is deemed to be the quintessential quality of a religious man. The pain of separation from the guru and the joy of meeting with him find expression in poetry of deep intensity, as in [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Arjan[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]’s hymn in Rag Majh (GG, 96-97). [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Nanak was suspicious of human preceptors, pandits, gurus and pirs. They are generally denounced as blind guides, self-styled and traders upon ignorance and superstition. He warns against them: [/COLOR][/FONT] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Never fall at the feet of one [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Who calls himself guru and pir, and goes begging. He who eats what he earns And from his own hands gives some in charity, He alone knows the true way of life [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 1245) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The disciple whose guru is blind will not attain the goal (GG, 58). Taking up this thought the third Guru said: [/COLOR][/FONT] [CENTER][CENTER][COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The disciples whose guru is blind perform only blind deeds. [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#ee4000][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]They follow their own wayward will, And ever utter the grossest lies [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#ff6600][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred](GG, 951) [/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER] [/CENTER] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]When [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Nanak[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] speaks of his guru or satguru, it is not such teachers that he has in mind. The true guru is the means of the self-revelation of God. He makes the concealed and ineffable God known. He symbolizes the supreme act of God’s grace in revealing Himself as Truth, as the Name, as the Word. The true guru comes to unite all people of the world and to unite them to the Supreme Being. A false guru creates schisms, divisions and prejudices. The true guru as manifested in the history of the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] faith comes to suppress the forces of evil and to rally the forces of good. He comes to resuscitate the values of true religion, [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Dharma"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]dharma[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The [[Sikh] faith developed under the guidance of ten successive Gurus from 1469 to 1708. [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Gobind Singh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], the Tenth Guru, appointed no personal successor, but bequeathed the guruship to the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Holy_Book"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Holy Book[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Granth Sahib[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]. The holy Word or sabda had always been referred by the Gurus as well as by their disciples as of Divine origin. The Guru was the revealer of the Word. The Word was identified with the Guru when [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Gobind Singh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] proclaimed the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Holy_Book"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Holy Book[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] Guru before he passed away. Bards [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Balvand_and_Satta&action=edit"][COLOR=#cc2200][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Balvand and Satta[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/COLOR][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] theorize that of their three aspects—joti, i.e. light, jugati, way or procedure, and kaia, i.e. body—it is only kaia, the body, that changes as succession passed from one historical [B]Guru[/B] of the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] faith to the next. Joti and jugati remained the same. As sang the bards: “Joti oha jugati sai sahi kaia pheri palatiai” (GG, 966). From their verse emerges this concept of three aspects of the guruship. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]God is the source of all light or consciousness. God kindles that light, in the chosen human body, the Guru; in the joti-aspect the [B]Guru[/B] is the most enlightened human being, he is in direct communion with God. He communicates the message of God to mankind. He transmits His light to the world. Without the guru, darkness prevails. Says [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Nanak[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], “The light of the guru alone dispels darkness” (GG, 463); “The guru is that lamp which illuminates the three worlds” (GG, 137). [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php?title=Balvand_and_Satta&action=edit"][COLOR=#cc2200][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Balvand and Satta[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/COLOR][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] in their hymn in the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Granth Sahib[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] affirm that the historical Gurus of the Sikhs shared the same joti (light). The joti got transferred to the successor’s body. Thus, right from 1469, the year of the birth of [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Nanak"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Nanak[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], to 1708, the year of the passing away of [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Gobind Singh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], it was one continuing joti manifesting itself in the Ten Gurus. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]This awareness of one light acting through the successive Gurus was so permeating among the Sikhs that Mobid Zulfiqar Ardastani (d. 1670) wrote in his Persian work Dabistan-i-Mazahib, “The Sikhs say that when Nanak left his body, he absorbed himself in [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Angad"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Angad[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] who was his most devoted disciple, and that Guru Angad was Nanak himself. After that, at the time of his death, [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Angad"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Angad[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] entered into the body of [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Amar_Das"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Amar Das[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]. He in the same manner occupied a place in the body of [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Ram_Das"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Ram Das[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] who in the same way got united with [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Arjan[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]. They say that whoever does not acknowledge [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Arjan"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Arjan[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] to be the very self of Baba Nanak becomes a nonbeliever.” [/COLOR][/FONT] [URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Gobind Singh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], last of the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Gurus"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Gurus[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], himself wrote in his poetical autobiography called Bachitra Natak, “Nanak assumed the body of Angad. . . Afterwards, Nanak was called Amar Das, as one lamp is lit from another. . . The holy Nanak was revered as Angad, Angad was recognized as Amar Das. And Amar Das became Ram Das. . . When Ram Das was blended with the Divine, he gave the Guruship to Arjan. Arjan appointed Hargobind in his place and Hargobind gave his seat to Har Rai. Har Krishan, his son, then became Guru. After him came Tegh Bahadur.” [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Balvand and Satta further proclaim that the Gurus indicated the same jugati or the method and way of life. The ministry of Guru Nanak combining joti and jugati, took care of both the worlds, the spiritual and the temporal. It was the ministry of deg (charity), and tegh (power), of miri (temporal authority) and piri (spiritual power). According to the bard, Nanak founded sovereignty on the firm rock of truth. . . Nanaku raju chalaia sachu kotu satani niv dai (GG, 966). As Nanak transferred the joti (light) to Lahina who became Guru Angad, he unfurled the umbrella over his head—lahane dharionu chhatu siri, i.e. he invested Lahina with the authority to carry on with the practice he had introduced. The Gurus preached devotion, bhakti or nam (meditation on the Divine Name), recitation of bani, the sacred texts, and kirtan, i.e. singing of the Lord’s glory in sangat or holy assembly. Along with nam, they inculcated the values of kirat, labouring with one’s hands, and vand chhakna, sharing with others the fruit of one’s exertions. The Gurus had carved a clear way for the disciples. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The Guru’s kaia or body was the repository of God’s light. It was the medium for the articulation of sabda, Word Divine, or God’s message. So it was worthy of reverence. The historical Guru was the focal point of the sangat and the living example of truths he had brought to light. He himself lived up to the teachings he imparted to his disciples. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The sangat turned into Khalsa in the time of [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Gobind Singh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] who introduced khande di pahul, i.e. baptism of the double-edged steel sword. With the formation of the Khalsa, the concept of the Guru [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Panth"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Panth[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] formalized. By becoming the sixth person to receive amrit at the hands of the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Panj_Piare"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Panj Piare[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], the Five Beloved, who formed the nucleus of the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Khalsa"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Khalsa[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] Panth, Guru Gobind Singh testified to his own membership of the Panth, and to having merged himself with it and endowed it with the charisma of his own personality. The bani, always revered by the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikhs[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] as well as by the Gurus as Word Divine, was however above all. This was something which even the Gurus themselves could not change. It was this superiority which [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Gobind_Singh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Gobind Singh[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] acknowledged in 1708 when he invested Scripture as Guru. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]The idea of the [B]Guru[/B] [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Panth"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Panth[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] lives on in the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Khalsa"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Khalsa[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]. But the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Khalsa"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Khalsa[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] itself could not alter the fundamental tenets of the Sikh faith as enunciated in the bani. The [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Guru_Granth_Sahib"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Guru Granth Sahib[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] was, in the presence of the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Khalsa"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Khalsa[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred], proclaimed [B]Guru[/B]. The finality of the pronouncement remains a cherished truth for the [/COLOR][/FONT][URL="http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Sikh"][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred]Sikhs[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=darkred] and the Holy Book has since been the perpetual authority, spiritual as well as historical, for them. No living person, however holy or revered, can now have for them the title or status of Guru. For Sikhs the Guru is the teacher, the prophet under direct commission from God—the Ten who have been and the Guru Granth Sahib which is their continuing visible manifestation.[/COLOR] [/FONT] [COLOR=red][B][U]THE CONTINUING VISIBLE MANIFESTATION[/U][/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=red][B][U][/U][/B][/COLOR] [/QUOTE]
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Gurmat Vichaar
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Nanak Is The Guru, Nanak Is The Lord Himself
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